CAMPUS WELCOMES A FAMILIAR FACE AS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
All-American LaQuentin Black has returned to his alma mater as the 14th head football coach in Missouri Valley College history. The announcement was made in December by MVC President Joe Parisi. Black, who graduated from Missouri Valley in 2014 and was a leader on a Vikings team that went to the national semifinals, was introduced to the campus community on January 2. He started working immediately. "I want to hit the ground running," he said. "I want to be with our current players, get to know them, cater to their needs, make them comfortable, and let them get to know me." Black started assembling his coaching staff right away, and welcomed his new staff to campus in just a few weeks. "I've watched LaQuentin's career for years," Parisi said. "He has remained the same driven, passionate, kind, caring and laser- focused individual that I knew when I first met him. He has a great plan, and he is determined to help our student-athletes succeed on the field and in the classroom." One of the first things Black did was partner with Samantha Perkins, assistant dean of Library and Academic Support Services. He quickly made his commitment to academics known to the campus, and to his players. Black was a featured speaker at the Library’s Open House in March, a grand reopening that showcases the college academic support services, updated spaces, and new resources. Most recently, Black was the safeties coach at Northern Iowa, and he has also coached at national champ Hutchinson Community College, Troy University and Central Methodist University.
Returning to Marshall is about his passion for his alma mater, and also about family and timing. "We have a lot of family and friends in the area," Black said. "I spoke with my wife about this, and the timing felt right. But I have to say that this is also about alignment. I can see Dr. Parisi's vision, and his enthusiasm. We are cut from the same cloth…we want the same thing for Valley." Some of Black's top priorities include community service and of course his commitment to academic success. "We are going to be champions in the classroom, champions in the community, and in leadership," he said. "When those things happen, that translates into championships on the field." This will also lead to a robust gameday environment at Gregg-Mitchell Field, Black said. "I know what it looks like when the program is thriving," Black said. "I want us to see purple and orange everywhere. I don't want that feeling to be a memory for our fans and our alums. I want it to be a reality for all of us. There's work to be done, but we will get there." Black was a first-team all-American defensive back at MVC, and he led the NAIA in kickoff returns in 2012, averaging 35.9 yards per return. Black replaces Casey Creehan as the Vikings' head coach. Creehan accepted a job in professional football that he said he couldn't pass up. He said the job allows him to spend more time with his family in Florida.
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